“The Department for Environmental Protection is pleased that Beam
has chosen to upgrade its membership in the KY EXCEL program to the Master
level,” said Aaron Keatley, deputy
commissioner of DEP and acting director of the Division of Compliance Assistance. “Beam continues to expand its efforts to
preserve and protect the environment through voluntary activities at its facilities. We support these efforts and congratulate Beam for taking
its membership in the program to a higher level.”

Beam is
the largest U.S. producer of distilled spirits, crafting a variety of spirits,
including bourbon, whiskey and vodka, among others. The company’s Clermont and
Booker Noe (Boston) facilities both earned the prestigious KY EXCEL Master
member level.

“Being
stewards in environmental sustainability is fundamental to how we operate each
day at Beam,” said Steve Lutes, vice president of technical services for
Beam. “As we continuously strive to preserve and protect the environment,
we look to align with innovative programs, like KY EXCEL, which provide a great
framework for sharing and pursuing best practices beyond compliance.”

The
five environmental projects chosen by Beam are to replace old-style venture
flow meters with more accurate ultra-sonic meters to more effectively monitor
water usage; install Barn Owl nesting boxes; install signs so tourists know
that the Jim Beam American Stillhouse is LEED-certified, as well as what building
materials were used to reach Gold status; install three bat boxes; and the
Campus Pride Project, for which Beam employees pick up trash and debris around the
Jim Beam American Stillhouse.

Launched by DEP in 2006, KY EXCEL is a voluntary program open to
any individual, organization, community or business to improve and
protect Kentucky’s
environment above and beyond the state’s environmental requirements. To learn
more, visit http://www.dca.ky.gov/kyexcel/ or
call the Division of Compliance Assistance toll-free at 800-926-8111.